Understanding the Canon Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a new feature called Canon Mode, which eliminates all dialogue choices during quests and conversations. This mode streamlines the experience, resembling earlier titles in the AC series, but it does have its limitations. Here’s everything you need to know about Canon Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and whether you can modify this setting after you start playing.

What is Assassin’s Creed Shadows Canon Mode?

When you enable Canon Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, all dialogue choices disappear. This means cutscenes proceed without interruption, and you won’t have the ability to influence conversations. In this mode, you won’t even receive notifications for where choices would typically be available. For instance, in an early scene where Yasuke has the option to reveal his understanding of Japanese or to remain silent, Canon Mode has the cutscene automatically depict Yasuke confirming his understanding, leaving you unaware that silence was an option.

In our playthrough of AC Shadows, we found that dialogue choices generally don’t have significant long-term effects on the story. Although some characters can be eliminated or spared, the differences in outcomes are often minimal. Essentially, you’re not missing out on much aside from some additional nuances in conversations and quests.

However, the most significant consequence of using Canon Mode is that you won’t be able to recruit all the Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows or participate in any romance storylines—apparently, Naoe and Yasuke are too focused on their missions to pursue love.

How to Enable or Disable Canon Mode in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Be aware that you cannot disable or enable Canon Mode once you initiate a game. It’s crucial to think carefully about whether you want to engage with this mode before starting a new playthrough. This option is much more restrictive compared to others like Assassin’s Creed Shadows Immersive Mode, which you can switch on or off at any time with minimal impact on your progress. The only way to alter Canon Mode is to begin a brand-new game, and considering the overall length of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, that’s a decision that shouldn’t be made lightly. So make sure you are comfortable with your chosen level of interaction with the storyline before starting, and be ready to stick with your decision.

Shortly after beginning the game, you’ll need to learn how to obtain the box for your first infiltration mission in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.